Brassiere and method of manufacturing parts of a brassiere

ABSTRACT

A brassiere includes at least one cut-to-pattern fabric sheet portion having an edge strip area thereof folded about and heat fused to a fixing tape to form a hem or seam. A method of manufacturing parts of a brassiere comprises providing a cut-to-pattern fabric sheet, placing a fixing tape upon the fabric sheet alongside an edge strip area thereof, folding the edge strip area of the fabric sheet over the fixing tape, and applying heat and pressure through the fabric sheet to the fixing tape to adhere the fixing tape to the fabric sheet to form a hem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to brassieres. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a comfortable brassiere having special hems and/or seams and also to a method of manufacturing parts for use in a comfortable brassiere.

Known brassieres have stitched hems and seams that can present areas of discomfort or at least cause irritation to the wearer's skin. This can result from the stitching methods employed in the manufacture of the brassiere, particularly about the periphery of the brassiere cup.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide an improved brassiere and an improved method of manufacturing a brassiere.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a brassiere, comprising:

-   -   parts cut-to-pattern from fabric sheet,     -   fixing tape upon or alongside an edge strip area of the fabric         sheet,     -   folding the edge strip area of the fabric sheet over an adjacent         portion of the fabric sheet, and     -   applying heat and pressure through the fabric sheet to the         fixing tape to adhere the fixing tape to the fabric sheet to         form a hem.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of applying a rolling force through the folded-over edge strip area of the fabric sheet to the fixing tape.

Preferably, the method further comprises a separate step of applying heat and pressure to the fixing tape prior to the folding step.

Preferably, said separate step of applying heat and pressure lasts for approximately 2 seconds at a temperature of approximately 330° F.

Preferably, the method further comprises the detection of any unwanted curling of the fixing tape, and if detected—pressing the fixing tape flat.

Preferably, said step of pressing the fixing tape flat lasts for approximately 20 seconds at a temperature of between 460 and 480° F.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of trimming excess material from the fabric sheet and/or fixing tape.

Preferably, the above method steps are followed by the further steps of laying the hemmed fabric sheets flat and pressing for approximately 30 seconds at between 330 and 340° F.

There is further disclosed herein a method of manufacturing parts of a brassiere, comprising:

-   -   providing a cut-to-pattern fabric sheet,     -   placing a fixing tape upon or alongside an edge strip area of         the fabric sheet,     -   folding the edge strip area of the fabric sheet over an adjacent         portion of the fabric sheet, and     -   applying heat and pressure through the fabric sheet to the         fixing tape to adhere the fixing tape to the fabric sheet to         form a hem.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of applying a rolling force through the folded-over edge strip area of the fabric sheet to the fixing tape.

Preferably, the method further comprises a separate step of applying heat and pressure to the fixing tape prior to the folding step.

Preferably, said separate step of applying heat and pressure lasts for approximately 2 seconds at a temperature of approximately 330° F.

Preferably, the method further comprises the detection of any unwanted curling of the fixing tape, and if detected—pressing the fixing tape flat.

Preferably, said step of pressing the fixing tape flat lasts for approximately 20 seconds at a temperature of between 460 and 480° F.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of trimming excess material from the fabric sheet and/or fixing tape.

Preferably, the above method steps are followed by the further steps of laying the hemmed fabric sheets flat and pressing for approximately 30 seconds at between 330 and 340° F.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic set of drawings illustrating a step of placing a fixing tape upon a cut-to-pattern fabric sheet and pressing same,

FIG. 2 is a schematic set of drawings illustrating a step of folding a hem portion of the fabric sheet and rolling the hem portion flat upon the fixing tape,

FIG. 3 is a schematic set of drawings illustrating a step of pressing the folded-over hem portion upon the fixing tape,

FIG. 4 is a schematic front elevation of a brassiere made using the piece of FIGS. 1 to 3, and

FIG. 5 is a schematic rear elevation of the brassiere of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically a cut-to-shaped fabric piece 11 undergoing a hemming operation. Numerous such fabric pieces 11 would first be cut to a pattern from a multi-layered stack of fabric typically having paper dividing sheets therebetween. A conventional power saw would be used for this purpose. However, a knife could be used if necessary—depending on the type of fabric.

A length of fixing tape 12 is placed upon an edge strip area of the fabric piece 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The fixing tape might typically be a #3403 film manufactured by The Bemis Company, Industrial Products Division of PO Box 2968/2200 Badger Avenue Oshkosh, Wis. 54903 USA.

After positioning the fixing tape 12, a heated press 14 bears down upon the sheet 11 and tape 12 to initially adhere the tape to the sheet. The pressing plates 14 are typically at 32020 F., and pressing is timed to last for approximately 2 seconds. If the tape curls which is undesirable, the press 14 can be reactivated to apply heat and pressure for say another 30 seconds.

The edge portion of the fabric piece together with the fixing tape is then folded over to form a hem 13. As an alternative, the fixing tape might be placed just over a tape's width in from the edge of the fabric piece 11 and initially adhered in that position. The overhanging tape's width of fabric could then be folded over/upon the tape. The hem 13 is then rolled flat by a roller 15 prior to trimming off excess material. The piece is then placed again between the pressing plates 14 and laid flat. The fabric piece is then pressed at about 330 to 340° F. for about 30 seconds under about 9 lb. of weight.

The piece 11 can now be assembled with other parts such as cups 16 and shoulder straps 17 to form a brassiere as shown for example at 10 in FIGS. 4 and 5. Numerous hems 13, such as about the brassiere cups 16 and along the shoulder straps 17 can be formed by the same method as described herein.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, joins between various fabric pieces of a brassiere or other garment could be made under minor adaptations of the method described herein. 

1. A brassiere, comprising at least one cut-to-pattern fabric sheet portion having an edge strip area thereof folded about and heat fused to a fixing tape to form a hem or seam.
 2. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein the fixing tape is heat fused at both sides to the fabric sheet portion.
 3. The brassiere of claimed 1, wherein said hem or seam is a hem about a periphery of a brassiere cup.
 4. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said hem or seam extends along a shoulder strap of the brassiere.
 5. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said hem or seam is a seam connecting a cup of the brassiere to a strap of the brassiere.
 6. A method of manufacturing parts of a brassiere, comprising: providing a cut-to-pattern fabric sheet, placing a fixing tape upon or alongside an edge strip area of the fabric sheet, folding the edge strip area of the fabric sheet over an adjacent portion of the fabric sheet, and applying heat and pressure through the fabric sheet to the fixing tape to adhere the fixing tape to the fabric sheet to form a hem.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a rolling force through the folded-over edge strip area of the fabric sheet to the fixing tape.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a separate step of applying heat and pressure to the fixing tape prior to the folding step.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said separate step of applying heat and pressure lasts for approximately 2 seconds at a temperature of approximately 330° F.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising detecting any unwanted curling of the fixing tape, and if detected—pressing the fixing tape flat.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of pressing the fixing tape flat lasts for approximately 20 seconds at a temperature of between 460 and 480° F.
 12. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of trimming excess material from the fabric sheet and/or fixing tape.
 13. The method of claim 12, followed by the further steps of laying the hemmed fabric sheets flat and pressing for approximately 30 seconds at between 330 and 340° F. 